Shield and Brotherhood Guarding Peace in Central Asia
EVENT | ORIENT. A gala reception dedicated to the 34th anniversary of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Uzbekistan was held at the Yyldyz Hotel in Ashgabat. The event brought together diplomats, military experts, and journalists, providing an important platform for discussing the future of regional security.
Friendship Belt: Ashgabat – Tashkent
For Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, cooperation in the defense sector goes beyond formal protocol. As Deputy Minister of Defense of Turkmenistan Begmyrat Sultanov noted, combat potential and high spirituality are two strong pillars on which the strength of the Uzbek army is based.
The year 2025 became a symbol of this trust: the visit of the head of Turkmenistan's defense department to Tashkent and the participation of Turkmen observers in the regional exercises "Unity 2025" confirmed that there are no closed topics between our countries, but rather a shared responsibility for peace in the Caspian Sea and Central Asia.
A Digital Breakthrough: AI and Drone Technologies
During the briefing, guests were presented the results of large-scale reforms initiated by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. According to the "Uzbekistan 2030" Strategy, the neighboring country's modern army is focusing on intelligence:
Own Military-Industrial Complex: The Center for Innovative Technologies already produces approximately 80 types of military equipment. At the IDEX-2025 world exhibition, Uzbekistan's products attracted keen interest from experts.
Army 2.0: In 2026, priorities include the implementation of artificial intelligence in troop command and control systems and the development of cybersecurity.
Educational Hub: A dual 50/50 training system has been created, where practical training in IT and drone technology accounts for half of the curriculum. Importantly, military personnel from Turkmenistan are also currently undergoing training at specialized centers in Uzbekistan.
The Spirit of Victory on the World Stage
The successes of 2025 on international training grounds speak volumes about the quality of Uzbek fighters' training:
• Gold at competitions in Korea, Turkey, and Pakistan ("Team Spirit").
• Silver at the prestigious Cambrian Patrol competition in the UK.
• Bronze at the World Military Triathlon Championships, held for the first time in Uzbekistan.
The celebration at Yyldyz demonstrated that in 34 years, the Uzbek army has evolved from a legacy of the past to a high-tech force of the future. For Turkmenistan, having such a strong and stable neighbor is yet another guarantee that the regional partnership will remain unshakable and the skies above our countries will remain peaceful.
